Larry Ronald McKenzie

Larry Ronald McKenzie, 82, passed away on Monday, November 2nd, 2026, at Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Ohio.

A resident of Baltimore, Ohio, he was born on July 30th, 1944, to James McKenzie Sr. and Nell Louise (Born) McKenzie.

Drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, Larry faced a war no one else in his family had to, and he carried that with a relentless courage. He belonged to the Lancaster Ohio Veterans Burial Detail, the Baltimore VFW, and the Pickerington VFW. Always willing to go the extra mile, he took special pride in honoring fellow veterans by providing funeral honors with the burial squad. A pride born from his service in Vietnam as an Army helicopter medic. As so many Vietnam veterans did, he struggled with the reception upon returning home to the states. That's why being one of the first veterans to go on the Columbus Honor Flight meant so much to him.

A Renaissance man of the trades, Larry worked as an electrician at Ohio State University, Children’s Hospital, and TS Trim. A lifelong entrepreneur, Larry started multiple business, with Mac’s Construction highlighting his passion and skills at woodworking. He will be remembered for his kind heart, loving nature, bubbly personality, and cheerful, very loud laugh.

He enjoyed many decades playing Santa Claus throughout central Ohio, volunteering at church, and imparting to all, especially his kids, all the useful information he thought they should know, whether they wanted to hear it or not.

From fishing and hunting to fixing something broken on the farm and watching football, Larry embodied the tough-as-nails American man, yet he had an indisputable softness. It showed in the way he cared for the animals on the farm and in his simple admiration of windchimes, a fondness reflected in the words “Windchimes Farms” on a truck he once owned.

His family will cherish these memories, along with his warmth and pride in his military service.

Larry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Dorothy (Dot). Together, they shared five decades of love, and on Friday, November 6th, 2026, the couple would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, something he couldn’t stop talking about.

His legacy includes his four children: eldest Kevin McKenzie (girlfriend Jennifer), Lisa (Russell) Gue, Amanda McKenzie, and youngest Nick (Jenelle) McKenzie. His beloved grandchildren include Sarah Maynard, Jennifer McKenzie, Kimberly (Ashley) McKenzie, James (Jennifer) McKenzie, Aaron (Meredith) Gue, and Adam Gue (fiancée Jaelyn). He leaves behind 10 cherished great- grandchildren. Other surviving family members include his brother, Kenny; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Joe Getreu, Nancy Gebhart, and Chris (Shelly) Getreu; and his nieces, nephews, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Myron “Bubby,” Jim, Dick, and Floyd.

A Celebration of Life with military honors will be held Sunday, December 13th, 2026, at 2 p.m. at New Zion United Methodist Church, 10991 Snyder Church Road, Baltimore, OH 43105, with Pastor Mike Adams officiating.

Larry’s warmth and laughter brightened his family’s lives every day, and he will be dearly missed. Whenever they hear a laugh that’s a little too loud, the notes of Taps, or the ring of windchimes, they will think of him with love.

To send an online condolence, and sign the guest book, please visit www.funeralhome.com.